Advocacy Officer Job Description

Progressive Voice (PV) is a cooperative, collaborative, and participatory rights-based policy research and advocacy organization rooted in civil society, maintaining strong networks and relationships with grassroots organizations and community-based organizations throughout Myanmar. It acts as a bridge to the international community and international policymakers by amplifying voices from the ground, and advocates for a rights-based policy narrative.

Job Purpose

PV is seeking a principled and committed human rights professional for the position of an Advocacy Officer. The Advocacy Officer will report to and work under the supervision of the Advocacy Director in devising advocacy priorities and strategies, identifying advocacy opportunities and undertaking lobbying and advocacy directed at influencing key domestic, regional and international stakeholders. The Advocacy Officer will offer inputs on project implementation, work to maintain and develop new networks, liaise with media, carry out policy analysis and write position statements and other written materials for the organization. Together with the Executive Director and the Advocacy Director, the Advocacy Officer will play an active role in representing the organization at events, private briefings and media opportunities. The position requires working closely with the local Advocacy Officer. Ability to work with a small, diverse, committed, active and fast-paced team is a must. The candidate must have a strong commitment to, and understanding of, human rights issues and ability to demonstrate sensitivity in working with vulnerable, marginalized and disenfranchised communities. Experience with international advocacy related to the UN or knowledge of international legal frameworks will be beneficial in this role.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Devise advocacy priorities and strategies, identifying advocacy opportunities, and undertake lobbying and advocacy directed at influencing key domestic, regional and international stakeholders including local actors, governments, INGOs and UN human rights bodies and experts;
• Monitor and analyze key developments in relation to human rights in Myanmar and publish timely commentaries on such developments;
• Monitor and analyze key international developments in relation to Myanmar, in particular regarding ASEAN and UN, and identify advocacy opportunities and undertake advocacy efforts
• Support engagement with UN mechanisms;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with key partners and interlocutors, including civil society organizations, governments, UN human rights bodies and experts and those working in media such as journalists;
• Actively participate and represent the organization in network meetings and other public events;
• Draft media advisories, statements, press releases, opinion pieces and other communication materials in coordination with the Media and Communications Officer;
• Work with the Media and Communications Officer to identify opportunities to digitally amplify advocacy materials and ensure consistent messaging of PV’s output;
• Draft briefing notes, talking points, reports, documents and other written materials and contribute to the writing, editing and publishing of PV’s weekly commentary (“Weekly Highlights”);
• Assist the Research Department in undertaking desk and field research in addition to analyzing the data collected;
• Undertaking administrative and logistical tasks that are necessary for effective advocacy and the operation of PV;
• Support the evaluation of the results and impact of advocacy activities;
• Provide regular reporting to the Advocacy Director with updates regarding the implementation of activities and other information as requested; and
• Other tasks as assigned.

Person Specification

Application Procedure

Download the job description in PDF here.